Who are the Arizona Rangers?
The Arizona Rangers were organized in 1901 to protect the Arizona Territory from outlaws and rustlers so that the Territory could apply for Statehood. They were picked from law officers, military men, ranchers and cowboys. With maximum company strength of 26 men, they covered the entire territory.
By 1909, the Territorial Arizona Rangers had largely accomplished their goals and were disbanded by the Territorial Governor.
Re-established in 1957 by original Arizona Rangers, the present day Arizona Rangers are an unpaid, all volunteer, law enforcement support and assistance civilian auxiliary in this State who work co-operatively at the request of and under the direction, control, and supervision of established law enforcement officials and officers. The also provide youth support and community service and work to preserve the tradition, honor, and history of the 1901-1909 Arizona Rangers.
Information courtesy of the Official Web Page of the Arizona Rangers
Legislative Act 41
Signed by Governor Jane Hull (April 30, 2002)
State of Arizona House of Representatives Forty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session HB 2539 Introduced by Representatives Hanson, Poelstra, Carruthers, Nelson, Soltero, Miranda, Pearce, Blendu, Pierce, Kraft, Anderson, Somers: Allen, Cannell, Carpenter, Chase, Cheuvront, Clark, Cooley, Farnsworth, Flake, Gleason, Graf, Gray, Gullett, Hatch-Miller, Hershberger, Huffman, Huppenthal, Johnson, Knaperek, Leff, Loredo, Maiorana, Marsh, McClure, O'Halleran, Tully, Weiers, Senators Blanchard, Burns and Petersen.
AN ACT AMENDING TITLE 41, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING CHAPTER 40; RELATING TO THE ARIZONA RANGERS.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Title 41, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding chapter 40, to read:
CHAPTER 40 ARIZONA RANGERS ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 41-4201. Arizona Rangers
THE ARIZONA RANGERS ARE AN UNPAID, NONCOMMISSIONED CIVILIAN AUXILIARY THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR THE PURPOSES OF ASSISTANCE TO AND SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS STATE. THE ARIZONA RANGERS DO NOT POSSESS ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR INVESTIGATIVE POWERS THAT ARE NOT PROVIDED OR ESTABLISHED IN LAW FOR ALL CITIZENS OF THIS STATE. LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON THE REQUEST OF, AND UNDER THE DIRECTION, CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF, ESTABLISHED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS OR OFFICERS.
Sec. 2. Purpose The purpose of this act is to recognize the Arizona rangers, who formed in 1901, disbanded in 1909 and reestablished in 1957 by original Arizona rangers. The present day Arizona rangers are an unpaid, all volunteer, law enforcement support and assistance civilian auxiliary in this state. The present day Arizona rangers provide youth support and community service and preserve the tradition, honor and history of the 1901-1909 Arizona rangers. The Arizona rangers, past and present, are a most valuable and important part of the historical heritage of dedicated, unselfish and honorable service to this state and the citizens of this state.
Office of the Governor
PROCLAMATION
*OFFICIAL CENTENNIAL YEAR OF THE ARIZONA RANGERS*
WHEREAS, the law enforcement organization known as the Territorial Arizona Rangers was created by Arizona Territorial Governor Nathan Oakes Murphy and established in law by the Twenty-First Legislative Assembly in March 1901; and
WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers were the first, and sometimes the only, line of defense for the residents of Arizona, putting their lives on the line every day as our peace officers throughout the state do today; and
WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers were legendary protectors of life and property, sometimes braving the elements in the saddle for months at a time, tough yet compassionate, relentless yet fair, and feared by criminals yet respected by all; and
WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers were disbanded in 1909 only to be re-established in 1957 as an outstanding volunteer organization still dedicated to the public safety and welfare of its fellow citizens, and to preserving the history of the original guardians of our state; and
WHEREAS, the current Arizona Rangers consist of caring neighbors and friends who have an unselfish devotion to the ideals and values that have always made our State great, and who volunteer countless hours through their many Arizona Ranger Companies by providing valuable assistance to law enforcement agencies across the state in operations of search and rescue, disaster sites, traffic and crowd control, and vital DUI task forces, as well as being there at our toughest times, when one of Arizona's finest has fallen having made the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers provide time, energy and financial resources for numerous youth activities and charitable events that depend on the service of these dedicated men and women; and
WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers serve as a constant reminder of the tradition and honor of our state's original heroes, by keeping alive our rich and colorful Western heritage while at the same time serving as models of unmatched patriotism for our state and our nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jane Dee Hull, Governor of the State of Arizona, and honorary Chief Arizona Ranger, do hereby proclaim 2001 as the
*OFFICIAL CENTENNIAL YEAR OF THE ARIZONA RANGERS*
in the State of Arizona and urge all citizens to express their gratitude and appreciation to its dedicated members, "the few but proud, then and now", for their unwavering public service to the State of Arizona.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona
Jane Dee Hull
GOVERNOR
DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this twenty-first day of September in the year Two Thousand One and of the independence of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Twenty-fifth
ATTEST: Betsey Bayless
Secretary of State
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